The Lost Brother: Lion King Fan Fiction by
Teacup/Roary (LMB)
Part One
Kovu looked out over the kingdom. Had it been a short
season ago that he had found himself here? A short
rainy season ago, had he watched his mother die? Swept
away by the river current, her life forever taken
away. He did not have any blame against Kiara. But he
did miss his mother, though he would never admit it.
Short days ago marked the passing of Sarabi. She was
reunited with Mufasa.
Sarafina passed days after Zira's death.
Vitani was very much at home in the pride. She was
popular amongst the lionesses. Kovu wondered how she
felt about Zira's death. They had never talked about
it.
Kovu turned to the sun. Sun. Son. He was the son of
Zira. Who was his father? Vitani and Nuka's father had
been Scar, but Kovu had been the sire of another lion.
Who was he? Was he still alive? Would Kovu ever have a
son? A daughter? He wished everyone would stop asking
him! All the pride members were eager of news
regarding a young future royal. And Nuka…
Kovu heard Kiara behind him. She came and stood beside
him. "What's on your mind, Kovu? I know that look,"
Kovu had to smile-she looked so serious. She smiled
and tilted her head toward him. How Kovu loved her.
"I was just admiring the sun today," Kovu answered. He
began to walk away, and Kiara followed. But she knew
something else was on her mate's mind.
Far away, lying in the dust was a lion. His name was
Lutanu. It was a starless night. He would return home
tomorrow. He dug his claws into the dust, trying to
get comfortable. It was no use. He turned to his back
and watched the moon against the dark backdrop of the
night sky, and smiled to himself. He would soon have a
mate.
Kiara woke with a start. Something,
something…something kicking her. She looked around. No
one was kicking her. She was being kicked in the
stomach. She looked down. Something was kicking her
from the inside! What could it be…?
Kiara's eye opened wide. She knew it! She was to be a
mother!
Kiara nudged Kovu. "Kovu!" she whispered excitedly.
"Kovu! Get up! Wake up, Kovu!"
Kovu grumbled, but eventually stumbled to his stiff
paws. He yawned twice, scratched his ear, and looked
at Kiara. "What?"
"Kovu! Kovu, we'll be parents!" Kiara smiled at him.
Kovu worked this out in his mind. Parents? Why? A cub!
Kovu shrugged off his sleepiness and embraced Kiara.
"A cub! A cub of our own! Should we wake the others?"
"No, let them sleep," Kiara remained smiling. "And
let's get some sleep of our own!"
But Kovu could not sleep. He would be a father. How to
be a father? No one had taught him. Kovu had no
father, none that he knew of.
But sleep crept up on Kovu, and he feel into a deep
sleep.
The next day, the pride lands were abuzz with the news
of Kiara's pregnancy. Simba and Nala simply beamed at
their daughter when they saw her. They would be
grandparents! They could not wait. And neither could
the kingdom.
The news that a royal was to be born was big news. The
giraffes, snakes, elephants-all the animals talked
about was the future member of the Pride.
Lutanu awoke with the hot sun beating down on him. He
got up and shook the dust off his fur. He was still
young, and a mane had not shown itself. He did,
however, have a scruff of hair atop his head and a
long bang that showed up on one side of his face. His
mane was not far away-he was a late bloomer. His hair
was black, but the edge of his long bang was blue. He
knew he had to get to the Pride soon. They were
expecting him.
Overhead, a bird cawed: "Make way for the cub of Kovu
and Kiara, of the far away kingdom of the Pridelands."
Lutanu scowled at the bird. Who were Kovu and Kiara?
He had never heard of them, or the Pridelands. He
wished the bird would stop its noise-it was very
annoying. He turned away, and with a swish of his tail
was on his way home. He had great news to bring.
When Lutanu reached his pride, they welcomed him
joyously. Here was his home: a clearing, with grass
and dust amongst bushes, rocks, and a clear, beautiful
spring. He greeted his mother Kotatani and father
Alakar first. They were all eager to hear his news.
"Well, Jura says she will take me as her mate!" Lutanu
broke out in an ear to ear grin. He was proud. The
whole pride delighted in this news, roaring in
approval. Lutanu bowed in thanks.
"Any other news along the way, son?" Alakar was always
curious about news from around the land. He knew
Lutanu sometimes overheard pieces of information from
other prides he stayed with during his adventures.
"Just something about Kovu and Kiara, future royals in
a far away place called the Pridelands, expecting a
cub. Other then that, nothing."
Lutanu saw his parent's eyes widen at the sound of
this news. He was surprised. Why was this news
important? He had never heard of this lions, or their
kingdom.
Alakar glanced at Kotatani in apparent shock. She wore
the same expression.
"What?" asked Lutanu. He couldn't understand the
significance of this news, and he wanted to know why
his parents were frozen in shock.
"Lutanu, I wish for a quick word with your mother. You
will kindly excuse us." Alakar walked away from his
son, Kotatani beside him. Lutanu just shrugged and
went to celebrate with the other lions.
Back in the Pridelands, Kiara ate more and more each
day. She could not hunt as much as she once did. She
was brought many presents in celebration, such as a
flower crown for her head and an abundance of food.
Her father, Simba, had given her a purple stone hung
from a thin vine. She had tied it around her neck.
Rafiki, upon news of Kiara's pregnancy had hurried
from his tree to shower her in flowers and wild
grasses. He had wiped her forehead with some fruit
juice and sprinkled sand atop it, as he had did when
she and Simba were born. Kiara was getting a lot of
attention.
So was Kovu, and he didn't like it. He preferred to
lay back in the shadow, whilst Kiara basked in all the
glory. He worried more and more with each passing day
about what kind of father he would be. He was excited,
and happy, yes, but nervous all the same.
Names for the cub were also floating around. He had
liked thinking of names. He didn't mention any, of
course, because talking about the cub made him even
more nervous. He busied himself each day, hunting
obsessively and bringing Kiara gifts. He liked to keep
busy. He didn't like to let his thoughts drift back
towards parenthood…
"I thought you said Kovu was dead!" whispered
Kotatani. "Didn't he drown in the river?" She could
see the pain on Alakar's face.
"Zira lied! I knew my cub dying was too horrifying to
be true. She wanted to keep Kovu, and pretend he was
Scar's. Scar, Zira, and Kovu all knew this wasn't
true. But Zira wanted to keep Kovu so much when we
broke up. I never thought she would result to such a
horrible lie when she knew how much I loved my son.
And now he doesn't know who I am!" Alakar turned away
from his mate so she would not see the tears in his
eyes.
"Kovu, your son, will be a king someday, and a father
soon. Now is as good a time as any to go to him. You
can call Turf to help you. You will get to the
Pridelands. You will find your other son."
Alakar knew Turf could help him. Turf was his pride's
version of Rafiki. He was a very wise spider monkey,
who knew the land better then anyone Alakar had heard
of.
"I must take Lutanu. He must meet his brother." Alakar
whispered.
Kotatani simply nodded. "I will go to Jura. I will
explain, and she will understand that Lutanu and her
will have to wait for their marriage. Unite your sons,
Alakar."
And with that, Kotatani kissed her mate's nose and
smiled, then walked away toward the pride. Alakar
couldn't believe it! His son, Kovu, alive! Had he
known so long ago that his son hadn't drowned…
"Lutanu, come here!" called Alakar.
Lutanu ran to his father. Alakar explained everything.
"I have a brother?" Lutanu asked in shock.
"Yes, Kovu. He's a bit older then you." Alakar
explained.
"We must find him, then." Lutanu said. "I must meet my
brother. I've always wanted a brother."
Alakar nodded. "Your mother will go to Juda, so that's
taken care of. Let's go. It's already noon."
The two lions began their long journey. They headed
toward Turf's tree, eager for their adventure to
begin.
Part II
Turf listened to Alakar's story with patience and
glee. He had known Alakar a long, long time. He knew
how Alakar had stumbled over Kovu's supposed death. He
knew how happy Alakar must be-his son lived!
"Okay, the Pridelands?' Turf nodded. He knew where
that was. It was far, but he knew where it was.
He climbed down to the base of his tree and drew in
the sand with a stick. He showed the land that Alakar
and Kotatani ruled. He showed the jungle, the desert,
and the other lands. And finally, the Pridelands.
Alakar knew what route to take. He felt confident in
leading the way. He thanked Turf and he and Lutanu set
off toward the jungle.
Finally, Kiara could not hunt. She simply lay in the
sun all day, eating constantly and awaiting Kovu to
come and visit her every hour. Simba, Nala, and Kovu
would visit Kiara and hunt for the pride.
Kiara had thoughts of her own. She worried for Kovu.
She sensed that he was uneasy. She was angry with
herself that she could not get him to confess to her
what was bothering him. How could she ease his mind?
What was bothering Kovu so much? She promised she
would solve him.
The jungle was far. The father and son duo pounded
their way through the blue sand of Alakar's vast
kingdom, their paw prints engraving the sand. It was a
glorious, blazing afternoon. Alakar and his son were
equally strong, Alakar had the strength of endurance
and experience, whilst Lutanu had the strength of
youth and perseverance. The set a fast pace that
appealed to each of their running styles. They were
well trained and skilled hunters.
They had to stop at dusk to rest. Soon it would be
time to hunt. They reached a spring surrounded by
rocks and caught their breath. It was still blue sand
all around. Alakar knew he wasn't the only king with a
blue sand kingdom, but he knew he was still within his
own land. The thought disgruntled him. He had hoped to
be out of the kingdom by dusk, but they were not. "Oh
well", thought Alakar. "We'll have a full day
tomorrow."
Alakar turned to his son. "Good work today, son. Shall
I hunt or shall you?"
Lutanu combed down his bang with his paw. "I'll do it,
dad. I still feel full of energy." Lutanu turned on
his paws and crouched down low. His hunt had begun.
Alakar left his son alone while he hunted. Alakar knew
hunting was a focused activity, and he did not want to
disturb Lutanu. Instead, Alakar turned his thoughts to
Kovu.
"Father," Alakar called. "Father, do you see him? Do
you see Kovu from the sky?" A breeze was Alakar's only
answer. It tossed his mane around in the approaching
twilight.
Alakar felt so angry at Zira! He did not know she was
dead. If he saw her again, well, he would tell her! He
couldn't believe she had taken his son away.
Alakar turned at the sound of paws. His son was
standing proudly with the zebra he had hunted down.
"Hungry, dad?"
And Alakar and Lutanu sat to eat.
"Kovu!" Kiara called. She got to her paws in a hurry
and followed her mate.
"Kiara, you know you should take it easy. Sit down,
what do you need?"
But Kiara would not sit. She swished her tail angrily
and eyed Kovu down.
"Kovu, I want to know what's bothering you."
Kovu turned away from her. "Nothing, Kiara, I told y-"
"Oh Kovu! How stupid do you think I am?"
Kovu did not know what to say. He did not want Kiara
to know he had doubts about his fast approaching
fatherhood.
"Kovu, you can tell me. I swear." Kiara looked Kovu in
the eye with a warm smile.
Kovu sighed. She made him want to tell her. He turned
to her.
"Kiara, I've been thinking of my fatherhood, that's
all." Kovu almost whispered.
"Kovu, that's what's on your mind!" Kiara rested her
head under Kovu's chin.
"Yeah," he answered without emotion.
"Well. I'm glad you told me."
"I guess so." Kovu didn't know what to say, so he
resorted to changing the subject. "Thought of any
names for the cub?"
"Many!" smiled Kiara.
And the couple began discussing names, to Kovu's
relief.
"Wake up, Lutanu!" Alakar hollered in his son's ear.
"Let us go!"
Lutanu stretched, and yawned. It was already hot, even
though it was early in the morning.
"Dad, what's the rush? It's still early."
"Lutanu, all this time I've been waiting to see my
son. I thought I would have to wait till I join the
great kings of the past, but now I can see h-"
"Whoa! Wait a second." A thought had presented itself
to Lutanu.
"Kovu's your son. I'm your son. We're brothers. He's
older, that means he's next in line to be king! I'm
just like Scar!" Lutanu had heard about Scar, but only
that he had sired two of Zira's children and died in a
lion fight. He did not know that Scar had been a
murdered, or else he hadn't have stated the simile.
"Shh, Lutanu! You mustn't say such things!" Alakar had
met Scar-once. He knew how evil he was. Ever wonder
how Scar got his Scar? Alakar was the only one who
knew…
"Anyway, Kovu has his own kingdom. So you have mine."
Alakar explained. "And forget Scar! He was not
honourable. Mufasa was." Alakar missed Mufasa. And how
was Simba? If Kovu was to be a royal in the
Pridelands, he must have wedded into the pride. Was
Kiara Simba's daughter? It had been a long time since
Alakar had been in the Pridelands. No one knew Alakar
had actually lived in the Outlands right beside the
Pridelands. He had kept that to himself. Of course he
knew where they were going. Alakar had been born in
the Outlands. He knew the Pridelands. He had
befriended Mufasa, and met Sarabi. He had been their
when Simba was presented to the Pridelands. He had
bowed with all the other animals. But after that, he
didn't see Mufasa ever again. Alakar heard of Mufasa's
death. Mufasa's death was shortly after Kovu's fake
death. Full of grievance, Alakar had fled the
pridelands to create his own new beginning with a new
pride.
"Come on, we must go." Alakar began to run, Lutanu
beside him. The sun was just showing itself to the
sky.
The day had arrived. Early in the morning, before the
sun had appeared, Kiara fell into labour. Kovu watched
over her, and Rafiki arrived to serve her home
remedies to ease her discomfort.
Soon, a cub appeared. It was a girl. She was beige
like her mother, but she had Kovu's eyes and black
hair. She was beautiful. The whole pride was alive
with excitement.
The pride went ecstatic when yet another cub was born,
a male. He looked a lot like Simba. He had red hair,
and a blazing yellow coat.
Kiara and Kovu could not have been happier. Kovu
forgot his anxiousness as happiness rushed in.
Alakar and Lutanu had finally reached the jungle. The
jungle was vast. It would take awhile to dodge through
its thick foliage and enchanting waterfalls.
"Lutanu," Alakar called to his son. "I will hunt this
time. You can rest here." Lutanu nodded and sank to
his paws on the soft brush.
Alakar was on the hunt. He stalked silently through
the jungle. Then, he saw it. It was a zebra. He
crouched, and pounced. This was dinner.
Alakar dragged the heavy zebra back to his son. "Eat
up, son," he said. "It will be an even longer day
tomorrow."
Lutanu only nodded and eagerly gulped down his dinner.
Back at Pride Rock, the ceremony had begun. Rafiki had
come to present the two cubs to the land. First, he
raised the oldest, the girl, to the sky. Mufasa,
Sarabi, and Sarafina beamed down at the cub. Kovu
looked to them. He could see Zira in the background.
Were those tears in her eyes? Kovu smiled.
Next came the brother. He was above all the land. Kovu
and Kiara were next in line to accept the throne, and
then would come the girl cub, and finally, the
brother.
The two cubs were named Swhula and Sujack, Swhula was
the sister and Sujack, the brother. They were young
now, but they would soon grow to become adventurous
and mischievous young cubs.
That night, Kiara and Kovu laid under the stars with
their cubs. They were both so happy.
But once again, Kovu secretly turned his thoughts to
his doubts. Would he be a good parent?
The remaining days of Alakar and Lutanu's journey were
long ones. They dove through the cool water, ran under
the scorching sun, and finally, here they were. There
stood Pride Rock.
Part Three
Alakar felt overwhelmed. He hadn't seen Pride Rock in
such a long time. He remembered Zira. Was she around
here?
Lutanu checked the land out. Yep, his brother's future
kingdom was pretty big and glorious. Lutanu felt
proud.
Alakar motioned to Lutanu, and then began the short
walk to Pride Rock.
Simba stood on the edge of Pride Rock. Here was his
kingdom. He observed the land. How beautiful the
sunset was tonight. The sun was beginning to melt
away, and the moon was getting ready to appear. Simba
turned his eyes to the land. And he saw two lions.
Simba instantly felt his claws dig into the rock. He
concentrated on the two lions for a second. They were
coming to Pride Rock. What did they want?
Simba called to Nala.
"Nala, look! Lions!" whispered Simba. They were
getting closer.
"Well, Simba, we are king and queen. We must greet
them." Nala whispered back.
"Hello there, lions!" Simba smiled at the duo.
"Welcome to Pride Rock! I am king here. May I ask what
it is you seek upon the Pridelands?"
Nala stepped forward. "And I am Nala, queen here."
Alakar didn't talk for awhile. He simply studied
Simba. What a handsome adult he had become, and so
strong. Alakar bowed.
"I am Alakar, Simba, and this is my son, Lutanu."
Alakar nodded toward his son.
"Hello there," Lutanu said.
"How do you know my name is Simba?" questioned Simba.
"Oh Simba, your father and I were great friends. What
a great lion your father was."
"You knew my father?" Simba knew he had heard these
words before.
"Yes. We were very close. After Mufasa's death, I
stayed away from the Pridelands, had a cub around the
same time, it seems, that you did. Then my son,
apparently dead, was taken from me, and I fled the
Pridelands and claimed my own kingdom. I remember when
you were very small. You don't remember me, but I
remember you."
"Your son's apparent death?" Nala asked.
"Yes. Simba," Alakar turned to the King. "You asked
what it is I seek upon the Pridelands. I was informed
that my son is not indeed dead, as I once believed."
Simba did not know who Alakar could possibly be
talking about.
"Who is your son?"
"Kovu,"
It took a moment for these words to sink in.
"You're Kovu's father?"
"Yes. His mother, Zira, told me he had drown, and I,
believing her, left the Outlands forever." Simba could
hear the pain in Alakar's voice. "I'll kill Zira when
I see her again! Is she around here?"
Simba flinched. How could he tell Alakar?
"I'm sorry, but Zira died a season ago." Nala said
gently.
This news shocked Alakar. True, she had deceived him,
but a long time ago, they were such great friends…
"I will take you to your son, sorry, your name
again…?" Simba inquired.
"Alakar, king of the Blue Desert. And Lutanu, prince
of Blue Desert, king Simba," Alakar was eager to see
Kovu.
"We shall go now." Simba turned and led them to Pride
Rock.
Kovu was playing with his son when the party of four
arrived. Kovu looked up, and saw a lion. A lion that
looked a lot like him…
"Kovu! Kovu, Kovu, Kovu!" And Alakar embraced his son.
Kovu could only look confused.
"Kovu, I am your father. This is your brother,
Lutanu." Kovu looked at the other lion, and Lutanu
nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Kovu, I thought you had died as a cub! My son, how I
wished for so long to have you back, and here you
are!" Alakar had to fight back tears.
"Uh, hi," Kovu said. "Father."
Alakar beamed with pride.
"Kovu, whose this?" Kiara had just entered, carrying
Swhula in her mouth.
"Kiara! This is my father," Kovu smiled. He was
shocked, but happy.
Kiara laid Swhula beside Sujack. "Wow! Your father,
Kovu!"
"Hello, Kiara. I am Alakar, your father in law.
Pleased to meet you."
"And it's great to meet you, Alakar. If you only knew
how long Kovu has waited for you…"
Kovu looked at his cubs. "These are my children,
Swhula and Sujack. Your grandchildren."
Alakar went and looked down at the cubs. His face
glowed with happiness.
"Kovu," Lutanu had spoken for the first time.
"Brother, what a great kingdom you have!"
Simba couldn't help but flicker his tail in annoyance.
It was his kingdom, after all. Nala simply rolled her
eyes at Simba's childish jealousy.
"And I am sure, Lutanu, that yours is just a great.:"
Kovu patted his brother on the back.
"Father, brother," Kovu said. "How long I have
waited."